Absence of students union led to ragging in JNU: SC told

The Supreme Court was today told that non-existence of students union in Jawaharlal Nehru Unversity this year has led to incidents of ragging.

This was stated by advocate Sanjay Parikh before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and P Sathasivam while mentioning an application seeking early hearing of the matter relating to JNU students election which was stayed last year.

The apex court had on October 24 last year stayed the elections to JNU students for alleged violation of recommendations of a committee headed by former Chief Election Commissioner James M Lyngdoh.

Parikh, appearing for the students, sought expeditious hearing of the matter and said absence of a students union in the campus led to the ragging incident.

Nine JNU students have been rusticated for two years while ten others expelled from hostel following their alleged involvement in ragging incident.

He said representatives of the union in the past had played an important role in maintaining the discipline in the campus by forming various committees.

The advocate said since there is no students union all activities and other cultural activities involving students have been "derailed".

His view was supported by senior advocate Rajiv Dhavan who, while appearing for the university, said the Lyngdoh committee had accepted the JNU model of elections.

They said in the absence of students union there was no coordination between students.